McBride
evidence stolen from court
03 Nov 2008 08:05 - Staff Reporter
Evidence in former Ekurhuleni police
chief Robert McBride's drunk-driving trial was stolen in a break-in at the
Pretoria Magistrate's Court.
More CoverageMcBride to challenge his
dismissalTrial date set for McBride's doctorEvidence in former Ekurhuleni
police chief Robert McBride’s drunk-driving trial was stolen in a break-in at
the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court at the weekend, reports said on Monday.
Presiding
magistrate Peet Johnson told the Star newspaper that notes of issues to raise
during the trial were stolen from his office on the fourth floor.
“They
knew exactly what they were looking for. I have a lot of notes on the McBride
case. However, I believe there are copies of everything—except, of course, my
notes,” said Johnson.
Pretoria
police spokesperson Captain Agnes Huma confirmed the robbery.
“On
Friday night, there was a break-in at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. There
were some documents stolen—they took only documents—but what documents is still
under investigation,” said Huma.
In
April this year, a gang of bogus policemen overpowered security guards at the
Johannesburg High Court and stole evidence relating to the McBride trial, the
Times reported on Monday.
McBride
was put on special leave last July after being charged with drunken driving,
defeating the ends of justice and fraud after he crashed his metro car in
December 2006.
He was
axed as police chief in September. McBride is expected to appear in court again
on November 21. - Sapa
